A Common Entrance Test namely Tamil Nadu Professional Courses Entrance Examination (TNPC EE) was used as a basis for admission to professional courses in the state until 2006.[6] Starting in the academic year 2007-08, students were admitted to engineering colleges on the basis of their higher secondary marks.[7]

The university offers various courses in engineering and technology through its affiliated colleges and follows a dual semester system. Every year the university conducts examinations for even semester in May–June and for odd semester in November–December. The 1st semester students have exams in January.

ISRO has permitted Anna University to start a separate TV channel. The university has established Tamil Nadu’s first Interactive Satellite Terminal under the Ku Band of EDUSAT. Anna University Microsatellite ANUSAT is an Indian student built microsatellite. Anusat is the first satellite designed and developed by an Indian university and is the first satellite in India to be built and operated by any organisation other than ISRO. It carries a primary store and forward payload and auxiliary technology demonstration payloads. It was launched aboard PSLV-C12 on 20 April 2009. The satellite's development was sponsored by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).